Literary Figures: Novelists

Novelist Lynne Sharon Schwartz. Her new novel is The Fatigue Artist, (Scribner) about a 40 year old woman who comes down with chronic fatigue syndrome. One reviewer calls it "witty and hopeful and fierce." Schwartz is also the author of Disturbances in the Field, and Leaving Brooklyn.

Novelist Jane Hamilton. Her novel A Map of the World (Anchor Books), is a searing account of guilt and forgiveness and an unflinching portrait of small town mean spiritedness. This is Hamilton's second novel, her first, The Book of Ruth, won the PEN/Hemingway Foundation Award in 1989. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Mystery Writer R.D. Zimmerman (real name Robert Alexander). He is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, and has written mystery jigsaw puzzles as well as short mysteries that appeared on the backs of 15 million boxes of Total Cereal. His new book Red Trance (Morrow), is a Russian mystery of hypnotic detection. Zimmerman also talks about his business dealings in Russia, and the corruption he faced as a result.

Writer Tim McLaurin. He has a new novel called Cured by Fire (Putnam). McLaurin is also the author of two other novels The Acorn Plan, and Woodrow's Trumpet. He has been a Marine, a Peace Corps volunteer, and a snake handler. He currently teaches writing at North Carolina State University.

Former New York Daily News reporter and author Lorenzo Carcaterra. His first book, A Safe Place: The True Story of a Father, a Son, a Murder, was about growing up in New York's Hell's Kitchen, the son of a violent, abusive man who none-the-less loved his son. Carcaterra learned as a teenager that his father had murdered his first wife. Carcaterra's newest book Sleepers, (Ballantine Books) is also about growing up in Hell's Kitchen and the bond of friendship between him and three friends.

Writer Michael Chabon. This 24 year old graduate student gained his fame when his master's thesis became a critical and commercial success. His book was not only on the New York Times bestseller list for for three months, but he was also featured in People Magazine's 50 most important people edition. CHABON has a new novel called Wonder Boys. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Writer Pat Conroy. He has written several novels including The Great Santini and The Prince of Tides. Both books were made into movies. "The Great Santini" about a powerful and abusive father starred Robert Duvall. "The Prince of Tides" starred Barbara Streisand and Nick Nolte. CONROY'S new novel is called Beach Music.

Schine's new book is called The Love Letter, about how the titular object affects a single bookseller. Schine has written three previous novels: Alice in Bed, To the Bird House, and Rameau's Niece. She has also written for the New York Times Book Review, Vogue, and the Village Voice.

Ford's book Independence Day (Knopf), the sequel to The Sportswriter (Vintage), has recently been released. It follows the life of Frank Bascombe, a father, divorcé, and insurance agent. Ford is also the author of Wildlife, The Ultimate Good Luck, A Piece of My Heart, and Rock Springs.

During the 1970's Stephen J. Cannell was one of television's most successful writers, penning scripts for such hits as "The Rockford Files," "Barretta," and "Black Sheep Squadron." Cannell later established his own production company, Stephen J. Cannell Productions. His productions include such programs as "The A-Team", "Stingray", and "Hardcastle and McCormick." He has a new novel called "The Plan."